Sweets and desserts

Aletria doce

Sweet aletria cooked in milk with sugar, lemon and cinnamon.

Region/occasionNational / Christmas
DifficultyEasy
Total time35 min
Portions8 servings
Photo of Aletria doce - traditional Portuguese sweet
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Aletria doce is a dessert that is very common on Portuguese Christmas tables.

The fine vermicelli cooks in flavoured milk, becoming creamy and decorated with cinnamon.

Ingredients

  • 200 g aletria (vermicelli)
  • 1 litre of milk
  • 180 g sugar
  • Lemon peel
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 egg yolks (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • Ground cinnamon

Method

  1. Heat the milk with the lemon peel and cinnamon stick.
  2. Add the broken aletria and cook, stirring.
  3. Add sugar and butter.
  4. If using egg yolks, temper with hot milk and incorporate off the heat.
  5. Transfer to a platter.
  6. Decorate with cinnamon.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Stir so the aletria does not stick.
  • The dessert firms up as it cools.
  • Egg yolks provide a richer colour and texture.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Angel hair pasta can be used as an adaptation.
  • Whole milk gives better creaminess.

Pairing

Coffee, tea or Tawny Port. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from the Portuguese culinary tradition. Like any traditional recipe, it can vary depending on the region, the family and the cook.

Do you have a family Portuguese recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. The recipes received are analyzed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
10 min
Cooking
25 min
Total time
35 min
Yield
8 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Occasion
Christmas, family dessert

Pairing

Coffee, tea or Tawny Port. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Tips from Empório Portugal

Stir so the aletria does not stick.

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